Author's note: hello all, I'm back after a long absence. I apologize for this story's sporadic updating schedule. I'm now a grad student and a single mom if that is any excuse. But lets move on to the story; as always Stargate does not belong to me.*

Tami quietly sat on the stairwell, listening in to SG-3's description of their mission. Her spot was the perfect location to listen to both the control room and the briefing room, as it was on the circular staircase between both rooms and was where she would hide when she was a permanent resident of Earth. She and her fellow Tok'ra were due to return to the planet where their base was located, but she had wanted to greet as many SG teams as she could before she left. She glanced at the watch her father had given her, which was synced to Earth time so it would be essentially useless the majority of the time. Regardless of that fact, it was useful now as it told Tami that she had a little over an hour until she was due to leave; plenty of time to greet another SG team. Predictably as she was thinking this, a loud, familiar alarm went off, complete with flashing lights and the accompanying shouted warnings about an "unscheduled offworld activation". Within her, Malek woke up and groaned. She then heard Malek's "voice" as it seemed to yawn, Tami, what is that infernal racket?

It's just the alarms that the SGC has to warn of the stargate going off. Go back to sleep.

But rather than going back to sleep, Tami felt Malek move around within her and Malek's presence became more pronounced. Tami rolled her eyes and quickly moved downwards and into the control room, both to watch the proceedings and to get out of the way of the adults coming down the stairs. Tami watched as SG-7's code came through and as Walter opened the iris on General Hammond's orders. Almost immediately upon the iris opening, the team arrived... in the midst of Jaffa staff weapon fire. Before Walter could close the iris, a Jaffa appeared and grabbed one of the female team members, Dr. Mercedes Wynter, who instantly looked terrified. Tami stiffened as the iris closed, SG-7 was a predominantly scientific and medical team, with only the leader, Major Long, and his C/O, Captain Isaacs, knowing any true military defensive strategy.

Give me control? Malek suggested gently, knowing it would throw the Jaffa off to hear the symbiote intonation.

Not yet. Tami stated, staring hard at the Jaffa, who seemed to realize that his trip through the Stargate was foolhardy, but he obviously decided that he would die with honor as he gripped Dr. Wynter harder as she struggled. Tami watched as every single finger on the multiple guns tightened slightly as the men and women who guarded the Stargate aimed their weapons at the intruder. The Jaffa sneered at the Tau'ri, but before he could say a word, a well placed bullet hit his head and he dropped while Dr. Wynter screamed and pulled from the slackened grip. Tami winced as the woman was pulled to safety and the dead Jaffa was quickly surrounded. Well, that was certainly less dramatic than it could have been, Malek commented from within. Tami accidentally snorted out loud, earning her some odd glances from the General and Walter. Rather than answering their unasked question, she turned and walked away. It could have turned out very badly Malek.

I understand that and am glad that it did not escalate and cost any more lives than the Jaffa's.

Then why do you seem almost disappointed by the lack of conflict?

It is difficult to explain...

Well explain it.

Tami could feel Malek's hesitation.

What is it?

... I must admit that I am... jealous of the lack of having to move worlds that the Tau'ri enjoy. I wish that the Tok'ra had a more stable homebase, that we were not as separated as we are. Perhaps the desire for conflict for the Tau'ri is my way of coping with that jealousy. Tami stopped walking. She had never dreamed that Malek was jealous. She could feel her symbiote's concern over her words and how her host might take them.

I understand Malek. I wish that the Tok'ra were not as separated as we are, but I do not wish for conflict for my homeworld. Except for maybe a few people... Tami quietly thought of her mother, who left without a word after her twin brother's death, but then pushed that thought away. Anyway, she said to Malek, aware that the symbiote felt guilty about her jealousy, we will just have to work on keeping in contact with other Tok'ra worlds. Make sure everyone is well and accounted for. Perhaps that will lessen your jealousy?

It's possible. Malek mused and Tami smiled as she began walking again.